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Boys need guidance as they grow into adulthood. When they adopt problematic masculinity narratives, this can provoke strong reactions in adults. It can also signal uncertainty and a search for orientation.
A central message for boys is this: manhood is open to shaping. There are many ways to be masculine.

A Supportive

Approach

The manosphere is a relatively recent phenomenon, and many aspects remain insufficiently researched. Clear-cut answers are therefore limited. What is clear, however, is that boys and young men need adults who engage with them openly and respectfully on questions of masculinity.

Exploring identity and testing boundaries are part of development. Not every interest in manosphere content leads to harmful attitudes or behaviour. At the same time, research suggests associations between sustained engagement with such narratives and the normalisation of sexist attitudes or, in some cases, the justification of violence.
A supportive approach combines calm engagement with clear boundaries. Boys should experience that their questions are taken seriously and that equality, respect and non-violence are non-negotiable.

Insecurity as a Risk Factor

Emerging research suggests that some boys may be particularly susceptible to the affirmation and sense of belonging offered within manosphere spaces. Risk factors can include low self-efficacy, insecure identity development, difficulties in offline social interaction, mental health challenges such as anxiety or depression, neurodivergence such as ADHD or autism spectrum conditions, and experiences of bullying or exclusion. The manosphere can provide distraction and connection with like-minded individuals in what appears to be a supportive environment.²⁹ It remains unclear whether and under what conditions engagement with problematic masculinity narratives diminishes over time. Research is also limited regarding the role of age of first exposure and the balance between online and offline protective factors. What is clear, however, is that this is not a marginal phenomenon. Survey data from the United Kingdom indicate that 79 percent of boys aged 16 to 17 are familiar with Andrew Tate and that 52 percent report a favourable view of him. Among young men aged 18 to 29, 24 percent state that they support his views about women.³⁰